Spring Break Part 1: Viva Las Vegas

I had spring break last week, so we took advantage of my week-long break (which wasn't really a break since my professor decided to schedule a test on the day we got back, which meant that I had to spend way to much time studying on our vacation - bummer! anyway, back to the story) and headed down to Las Vegas on Tuesday to visit Brian's sister Stacey.

On our way down, we stopped in Washington for lunch and indulged in some In-N-Out = YUM-O! We went through the drive through and, and then found the local park so the kids could run around and stretch their legs.

The weather was perfect and we were amazed at the GREEN grass! Being kids, Ashlyn & Trent found water and had to get their feet wet, which lead to...

You can't really tell, but he does still have his diaper on. After spending 1 1/2 hours enjoying the blue sky and sunshine, we continued our journey. We got to Vegas around 3:00, which was really only 2:00, so we had a few hours to waste before Stacey got off work. We drove down the strip a ways and then took the kids to Circus Circus. We had a great time there, spending only $7.50 and walking away with a stuffed puppy for both Ashlyn and Trent. After sufficiently absorbing enough smoke into our clothing to make anyone believe that we had all just smoked a pack, we headed to Stacey's home. Stacey had dinner ready for us -so nice- and we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and conversing.

The next day, Stacey unfortunately had to go into work. So, we lounged around for a bit and then took the kids to the shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Good times. The only stress came when we got to the touch pool. Ashlyn loved putting her hands in the water, but wanted nothing to do with actually touching the sting rays. Brian, being Brian, decided that she really needed to touch one, and shoved her hand in the water when the next one swam by. Ashlyn screamed and shouted, "I did not want to fluff it!!" Side note: Ashlyn calles petting "fluffing" e.g. - "I want to fluff that dog" "I fluffed a horse", etc. Needless to say, everyone in the vicinity, except for Ashlyn, was amused by the situation.

After Mandalay Bay, we went to watch the fountains at the Bellagio.

Once again, Ashlyn found some water to play in. Take a look at her face - pure joy.

We also saw proof that there is beauty to be found in sin city ;)

We got to spend all day with Stacey on Thursday - Yeah! We went to In-N-Out again. This was only Stacey's 2nd time going there since moving down 9 months ago - CRAZY! I don't think she was converted. Oh well, the rest of us enjoyed the greasy goodness!

After lunch, we went to The Cupcakery....mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Let's just say it's a good thing that place is 5 1/2 hours away or I'd be packing on some serious pounds.

We went to another park later that night and let the kids run around some more while I sat on bench and did more homework - dumb test. The next morning we packed up and went for a late breakfast before heading out. We had such a fun few days, thank you Stacey!

Besides doing too much homework, the only other downside to our getaway was Trent, Ashlyn, and Brian all getting sick (I took my airborne) and passing it on to Stacey. Sorry Stace! Hopefully seeing this sweet face made up for it!

My Little Pony Party

We celebrated Ashlyn's 3rd birthday with a "My Little Pony" themed party. If you know Ashlyn at all, then you know that she has a thing for horses - particularly "blue horses". All she asked for at Christmas was a "blue horse" (Santa spoiled her and brought two), and all she wanted for her birthday was another "blue horse" (lucky girl got two more!). So of course we had to have a pony party.

Here are the higlights:

We started off the night by making rainbow mobiles.

Ashlyn sampled the rainbow jello before dinner.
*She also sampled the pizza and the frosting on the cupcakes :)

Brian put "beauty marks" on the kids.

I sent out coloring pages with the invitations for our coloring contest.
Madi and Emma were the big winners. Madi expression was absolutely priceless when I told her she won and I really wish I had a captured it, but you can still tell from the following picture that she was pretty excited.

We played 'put the beauty mark' on the pony.

Ashlyn got spoiled with presents, and lots of ponies were included.
Thank you to everyone!

Ashlyn also got her first bike!

We had rainbow cupcakes for dessert, at least that is what they were suppose to be. When I was making them Ashlyn asked what they were, and when I told her they were rainbows she said, "Um, I don't think so." Oh well, at least they tasted good!

All the girls got their own "My Little Pony" to take home.

Oh wait...no they didn't, but they were suppose to. I ordered them online on the 27th of February and they didn't come in time. Very, very frustrating. Lesson learned: either order at least three weeks in advance, or be willing to fork out the extra $10 for priority shipping. I had to throw these together at the last minute. Dang it.Happy Birthday Ashlyn! We love you so much!

A Very Special Day

Ashlyn turned three yesterday - can you believe it?! Brian took the day off work and we had such a fun day together. Ashlyn's day started with a brief stop to aunt Mindy's house. Mindy, Madi, and Maya greeted Ashlyn with a "Happy Birthday" sign, balloons, and a "Happy Birthday to you...". Then it was off to preschool. For most people, going to school or work on your birthday is no fun, but it's a different story for a three year old. She was the VIP for the week and was so happy to be the "special helper" on her special day. I also sent a yummy birthday treat for her class - zingers. Ashlyn later informed me that she did not like them. Crazy kid. Serioulsy, what kid doesn't like zingers?

After preschool we met up with some cousins at Chuck E. Cheese. Good times had by all.

After Chuck E. Cheese, we headed home so Ashlyn could finally see her "big surprise". She had been locked out of her room since Saturday and couldn't wait to finally see what was going on in there. This is what we had been up to:

Since I didn't find out the sex of my baby when I was pregnant with Ashlyn, we had painted the room a neutral green and I had planned on decorating accordingly after the baby was born. Well, after three years, I was tired of the green and I really hadn't done much with the room. I decided that it was high time Ashlyn to had a "little girl room" and what better time to do it than for her birthday.

I took "before" pictures, but can't seem to locate them. So just believe me when I say that her room before was BLAH!

We did the project as cheaply as we could. The daybed is my old bed that we freshened up with a new coat of paint. Even the bed spread is an old one of mine, but I did add some new pillows. I got the idea for the tent from here, but I didn't want to spend the $$$, so I made my own for 1/2 the price. The only thing I had to buy for the button butterfly pictures was the fabric. And the butterflies that we hung from the ceiling I had purchased two years ago for Ashlyn's first birthday party. I did also buy new curtains and the shelf above her dresser. Even though we reused/recycled and handmade most of her new room, I think it turned out pretty cute. And what did Ashlyn think?

Yep, she was pretty happy with it - even though her big surprise wasn't a "new blue pony" like she had guessed.

We had 'breakfast' for dinner - Ashlyn's favorite - and then, thanks to uncle Marty, we went to see some horses! This was probably the highlight of her entire day and she wasn't shy at all. She feed them carrots and rode on one by herself!

Brian and I have a small 2nd job on Wednesday nights, so we sadly had to leave Ashlyn for an hour with Grandpa - she didn't mind at all. When we came back, we had cupcakes and milk, and Grandmom gave her a couple presents. Finally, at the end of her special day, Ashlyn got a "new blue pony". Lucky girl.

We are having her party tomorrow night - can you guess the theme?